I remember living in Cairo where occasionally, you just went to the Zoo with family or friends.  I have to admit it was never the greatest Zoo on the planet, but it sure was the only Zoo we knew.  A place where you could see different animals, maybe sit in the "Tea Garden" or as it was known in Arabic "Gezieret El Shay", relax a little and enjoy a quiet time, sipping a drink and watching the ducks swimming in a simulated lake surrounding you.  

I found an article published in the Egyptian magazine "Hawa" issue # 2470 - January 24, 2004 describing the current condition of the Giza Zoo.  I couldn't have said it any better.

The Giza Zoo should and must be preserved being the only well known Zoo in Egypt.  Few years ago, the government went on a spree of privatization of many different government assets.  You can't help wonder, why are they hanging onto the Zoo.  Hey go private and save the animals .. they will be in better hands as long as it is not the government's ..